It Takes One to Tango

How I Rescued My Marriage with (Almost) No Help from My Spouse - and How You Can, Too

By: Winifred M. Reilly MA MFT

Narrated by: Karen White

Conventional wisdom says that "it takes two" to turn a troubled marriage around and that both partners must have a shared commitment to change. So when couples can't agree on how - or whether - to make their marriage better, many give up or settle for a less-than-satisfying marriage (or think the only way out is divorce). Fortunately, there is an alternative.

It Takes One to Tango is a groundbreaking guide that shows how one determined partner - acting alone - can spark lasting, significant change in a marriage, often accomplishing change that cannot be made any other way. It doesn't matter how short-fused, argumentative, or seemingly impossible your partner can be - or how long you've been stuck. Marriage and family therapist Winifred Reilly has this message for struggling partners: Take the lead. Doing so is effective - and powerful.

©2017 Winifred Reilly (P)2017 Tantor

Great guide to a successful marriage!

By far the most helpful marriage book I've listened to all year. I highly recommend it to anybody looking to strengthen your relationship with your spouse.

Phenomenal

Absolutely great book. Highly, highly recommend it. I have read no better book for improving your marriage.

Perfect book if you are disenchanted about your marriage but not ready to throw the towel!

The insights of this book are priceless. Although many of the concepts you may already know, the autor explains with her personal real example and many others (as she is a couples therapist) how to cope with the difficulties of marriage. There is no magic formula other than focusing on ourselves instead of fighting back. She gives a lot of tips on how not to engage on conflict, even when the other starts or is unequivocally wrong (but without compromising your core values). It just readjusting our mindset and practicing. You will be able to see the stages in which your marriage is, and understand how to fix it, or at least know that its normal and not exactly the beginning of the end. Great book. The only reason why i didnt put 5 stars in performance, was the tone of the voice of the narrator. It sounds very “robotish”. It was disturbing at first. I really enjoy when the author reads its own book, not this case. After a while you get used to it, but I seriously think that Siri or Alexa would have done a better job narrating it. Aside from that, it is gem! I’ll get a hard copy to have it for future reference. Get it. You can save your marriage!

Not a fake review...Amazed

From the beginning of the journey, I could feel the change in my own mindset. I’m blessed that my husband listened on his own and found better footing for our unnecessary quarrels. Highly recommend. Funny, relatable and excellent delivery by narrator.

Great book!

I loved this book. It gives hope to a struggling marriage ( of 29 years). It's never to late to grow and mature. This book is funny and has practical advice on how one person can help change the dynamics of the relationship.

Thank you Winifred for writing this book!

BEST BOOK ON MARRIAGE THAT I HAVE EVER READ!!!

I absolutely loved this excellent book. As someone who has counseled individuals and couples for decades (and reads hundreds of books on marriage and emotional health each year) and whose own marriage has been through pretty much every challenge a marriage can face, I found this book invaluable and so wise. Well worth reading... especially if (like me) you have a spouse who doesn't consider themselves part of the problem and is apathetic about change that involves effort on their part. The principles and practical advice found in this book are wonderful and they work!

Eye opening!

What did you love best about It Takes One to Tango?

I really like the way that each chapter is presented and the way that she summarizes the take away at the end.

Which character – as performed by Karen White – was your favorite?

There was just one character and the narrator did great.

What did you learn from It Takes One to Tango that you would use in your daily life?

I learn to think about how other may see what I say or what I do, and how it may be misinterpreted. Also how it is up to me to control a potentially explosive situation.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I heard it twice just to make sure I didn't miss anything. I just wished I had found it months ago before it was too late.

Frustrated yet curious about the title

I had been sifting through relationship books for a bit. My 16 year marriage having such extremes of good and bad with the majority being the latter. I felt like I had already done the majority of the work so this title made me angry yet I thought, if it gives me a better way to do it alone then maybe it would help. While reading I had moments of frustration, like realizing her husband at least went to therapy with her and mine has always refused. As I listened (Audible) my mind slowly changed. Some of her perspectives I had already considered but both her way of writing it and the connections that filled in the blanks for me were greatly appreciated. Her first two chapters were ok but as I got deeper the repetition of discussing client examples and switching to her own marriage made it have greater clarity yet less specific definition. Ie..you don't need to have your specific example stated because it is written for your interpretation and to provoke introspection. It helps guide you to your own result rather than tell you what that result should be. This is by far the best of many this far and I recommend it highly!

A new perspective that changed my life

Extremely great read, would recommend to anyone in a relationship. Think you are falling out of love? Think again..it's still there.

Great listen

Highly enjoyed this book. Never knew anything of author before listening, title caught my attention. Great insights and has opened my eyes to many things. Sure wish i listened sooner rather than waiting until my wife gave up and wants to end it, only time will tell if the these principles will help.

Greatest takeaway.. it’s not your job making your spouse happy, that is something they must do themselves. ... Change yourself first regardless if spouse changes or follows, stop trying to change your spouse ... every marriage is difficult ... 5 stages of marriage most get stuck at stage 2 (where i feel I’ve been for past 7 years)

If you are wanting to save or strengthen your marriage, and your spouse is unwilling to change or seek counsel... give this a chance.